Salts of benzimidazolyl pyridyl ethers and formulations thereof

ABSTRACT

Salts of benzimidazolyl pyridyl ethers are provided, particularly salts of {1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine. Compositions and formulations including such salts and surfactants as well as methods of preparing such compositions and formulations are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.12/377,901, filed 13 Apr. 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,202,998, which is aNational Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2007/019152, filed30 Aug. 2007, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/841,177, filed 30 Aug. 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/954,466, filed 7 Aug. 2007, all of which in their entirety are hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to salts of benzimidazolyl pyridylether compounds and formulations of such salts. More specifically, thedisclosure herein pertains to salts and dosage formulations comprisingsalts of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine,and mixtures thereof, and to methods for preparing and using suchformulations.

BACKGROUND

The involvement of kinases in the development of cancer is well known.For example, kinases known to be associated with tumorigenesis includethe Raf serine/threonine kinases and the receptor tyrosine kinases(RTKs). Both types of kinases are part of a signal transduction pathwaywhich ultimately phosphorylates transcription factors. Within thepathway, Raf kinases are part of the Ras/Mitogen-Activated ProteinKinase (MAPK) signaling module that influence and regulate many cellularfunctions such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, oncogenictransformation and apoptosis.

Several Raf kinase inhibitors have been described as exhibiting efficacyin inhibiting tumor cell proliferation in vitro and/or in vivo assays(see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,391,636, 6,358,932, 6,037,136, 5,717,100,6,458,813, 6,204,467, and 6,268,391). Other patents and patentapplications suggest the use of Raf kinase inhibitors for treatingleukemia (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,268,391, and 6,204,467, andpublished U.S. Patent Application Nos. 20020137774; 20020082192;20010016194; and 20010006975), or for treating breast cancer (see, e.g.,U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,358,932; 5,717,100; 6,458,813; 6,268,391; and6,204,467, and published U.S. Patent Application No. 20010014679). Inearly clinical trials, inhibitors of Raf-1 kinase that also inhibitB-Raf have shown promise as therapeutic agents in cancer therapy (Crump,Current Pharmaceutical Design 8:2243-2248 (2002); Sebastien et al.,Current Pharmaceutical Design 8: 2249-2253 (2002)).

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as vascular endothelial growthfactor receptors (VEGFR), are transmembrane polypeptides that regulatedevelopmental cell growth and differentiation, remodeling, andregeneration of adult tissues. Mustonen, T. et al., J. Cell Biology129:895-898 (1995); van der Geer, P. et al., Ann Rev. Cell Biol.10:251-337 (1994). VEGF and members of the VEGF subfamily are able toinduce vascular permeability and endothelial cell migration andproliferation, as welt as induce angiogenesis and vasculogenesis,Ferrara, N. et al., Endocrinol. Rev. 18:4-25 (1997); Connolly, D. etal., J. Biol. Chem. 264:20017-20024 (1989); Connolly, D. et al., J.Clin. Invest. 84:1470-1478 (1989); Leung, D. et al., Science246:1306-1309 (1989); Plouet, J. et al., EMBO J 8:3801-3806 (1989).

Angiogenesis is the process whereby new blood vessels are formed in atissue, and is critical to the growth of cancer cells. In cancer, once anest of cancer cells reaches a certain size, roughly 1 to 2 mm indiameter, the cancer cells must develop a blood supply in order for thetumor to grow larger as diffusion is not sufficient to supply the cancercells with enough oxygen and nutrients. Thus, inhibition of angiogenesisby the inhibition of kinases involved in angiogenesis is expected tohalt the growth of cancer cells.

One class of compounds that inhibit angiogenesis, inhibit the growth oftumors, treat cancer, modulate cell cycle arrest, and/or inhibit kinasessuch as Ras, Raf mutant B-Raf, VEGFR2 (KDR, Flk-1), FGFR2/3, c-Kit,PDGFRβ, CSF-1R is the class of compounds known as benzimidazolyl pyridylethers. Methods for the synthesis and use of various benzimidazolylpyridyl ether compounds have been disclosed in WO 2003/082272 and WO2005/032458, in U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/712,539 filed onAug. 30, 2005; 60/731,591 filed on Oct. 27, 2005; 60/774,684 filed onFeb. 17, 2006; 60/713,108 filed on Aug. 30, 2005, and 60/832,715, filedJul. 21, 2006, and in the U.S. utility application entitled “SubstitutedBenzimidazoles And Methods Of Their Use,” filed Aug. 30, 2006 (U.S. Ser.No. 11/513,959), and the U.S. utility application entitled “SubstitutedBenzimidazoles And Methods Of Preparation,” filed Aug. 30, 2006 (U.S.Ser. No. 11/513,745), the entire disclosures of which are hereinincorporated by reference for all purposes. Despite the excellentbiological activity shown by benzimidazolyl pyridyl ethers, challengesin formulating this class of compounds exist due to the low watersolubility of the compounds at physiological pH.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention provides salts of benzimidazolyl pyridylethers and methods of making such salts. In some embodiments, salts ofthe invention are selected to have substantially improved aqueoussolubility over the free base, e.g., 2 times or more. In another aspectthe invention provides compositions, formulations and medicaments ofsalts of benzimidazolyl pyridyl ethers and methods of making and usingsuch compositions, formulations and medicaments. The formulationsinclude solid and liquid formulations of salts of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)aminein capsule and tablet form, as well as in parenteral forms, amongothers. The formulations may be administered orally or by other methodsknown in the art. Formulations of the invention provide improved aqueoussolubility, faster dissolution rates and improved in vivoexposure/pharmacokinetics of the benzimidazolyl pyridyl ether compoundscompared to the unformulated compounds, such as the free base and saltsthereof.

In one aspect, the present invention provides salts of benzimidazolylpyridyl ethers such as{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine.The latter compound has the structure of Formula I:

Salts of the compound of Formula I include acetate, tosylate, succinate,lactate, malate, sulfate, maleate, citrate, hydrochloride, phosphate,ethanesulfonate, and methanesulfonate salts. In some embodiments, thesalts are selected to have a minimum solubility in aqueous solution ofat least 0.058 mg/mL.

In another aspect, the invention provides compositions comprising apharmaceutically acceptable acid salt of benzimidazolyl pyridyl etherssuch as{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineand a surfactant. While many pharmaceutically acceptable acids may beused as the cognate acid in acid salts of the invention, the cognateacid of the acid salt typically has a pKa of about 4.7 or less than 4.7.For example, the cognate acid of the acid salt can be acetic acid,toluene sulfonic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, sulfuricacid, maleic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid,ethanesulfonic acid, and methanesulfonic acid.

Any suitable surfactant may be used in compositions and methods of theinvention, including for example, surfactants having an HLB value ofabout 8 or higher than 8. Exemplary surfactants include polyoxyethylenecastor oil compounds, polyoxyethylene mono- and di-fatty acid esters,mixtures of polyoxyethylene mono- and di-esters of C₈-C₂₂ fatty acidsand glyceryl mono-, di-, and tri-esters of C₈-C₂₂ fatty acids,d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate,polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers, polyoxyethylene sorbitanfatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sorbitan fatty acid esters, sugarfatty acid esters, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.

In another aspect, formulations described herein may be contained withina capsule or tablet. In some embodiments, the total mass of the compoundof Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixtureof any two or more thereof, contained within the capsule or tablet,ranges from about 0.01 mg to about 400 mg. In some embodiments, thecapsule or tablet is coated with a polymer or gelatin, or isencapsulated within a gelatin sheath. The capsule may be a hard shellcapsule ad may further have a band-sealed head section and a bodysection.

In another aspect, methods are provided for producing formulations ofthe invention. The methods may include combining a pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid salt of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineand a surfactant to provide a composition/formulation as describedherein. Alternatively, the methods include combining a compound,{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine,a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, and a surfactant to providecompositions as described herein. In some embodiments, the compound ofFormula I, acid, and surfactant are combined by mixing the compound andacid together to provide a salt of the compound, and subsequently mixingthe salt of the compound with the surfactant to provide a composition asdescribed herein. The compound of Formula I and the acid can be mixedalone to form a paste or by dissolving the compound and the acid in anorganic solvent to form the salt of the compound in situ.

There are also provided in some embodiments, a pharmaceutical packagingcontainer, comprising: a storage vessel comprising one or more capsulesor tablets, the one or more capsules or tablets comprising a formulationas embodied herein.

Salts of the compound of Formula I and formulations thereof are usefulin/as pharmaceutical formulations or medicaments in the treatment ofcancer and/or inhibition of angiogenesis in a subject in need thereof.Thus, in another aspect, there are provided methods for treating cancerand/or inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject, comprising administeringthe salts or formulations to the subject. Any of the salts describedherein may be used, including but not limited to the mesylate, esylateand maleate salts. In some embodiments related to methods of treatingcancer, the salt or formulation is administered in an amount sufficientto provide a C_(max) after a single dose administration of from about0.1 to about 6,000 ng/mL, about 0.1 to 1,000 ng/mL, about 0.1 to 500ng/mL, about 1 to 150 ng/mL, or 1 to 10 ng/mL of the compound of FormulaI, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture of any twoor more thereof, in the subject's plasma.

In other embodiments related to methods of treating cancer, the salt orformulation is administered in an amount sufficient to provide a C_(max)at steady-state after administration of once, twice, three, four timesor more daily or weekly of about 0.1 to about 6,000 ng/mL, about 0.1 to1,000 ng/mL, about 0.1 to 500 ng/mL, about 1 to 150 ng/mL or 1 to 10ng/mL of the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, in the subject'splasma.

In other embodiments related to methods of treating cancer, the salt orformulation is administered in an amount sufficient to maintain aC_(min) at steady-state after administration of once, twice, three, fourtimes or more daily or weekly of about 0.1 to about 6,000 ng/mL, about0.1 to 1,000 ng/mL, about 0.1 to 500 ng/mL, about 1 to 150 ng/mL or 1 to10 ng/mL of the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, in the subject'splasma.

In other embodiments of the method for treating cancer, the formulationis administered in an amount sufficient to provide an AUC from time-zeroto time-infinity after a single oral dose administration of about 0.01to about 2,500 μg*h/mL, about 1 to about 2,500 μg*h/mL, about 1 to about2,000 μg*h/mL, about 1 to about 1,000 μg*min/mL, about 1 to about 100μg*h/mL or about 1 to 10 μg*h/mL of the compound of Formula I, apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture of any two ormore thereof, in the subject's plasma.

In other embodiments of the method for treating cancer, the formulationis administered in an amount sufficient to provide an AUC during adosing interval at steady-state after administration of once, twice,three, four times daily or weekly of about 0.01 to about 2,500 μg*h/mL,about 1 to about 2,5000 μg*h/mL, about 1 to about 2,000 μg*h/mL, about 1to about 1,000 μg*h/mL, about to about 100 μg*h/mL, about 0.1 to 10μg*h/mL or about 0.1 to 1 μg*h/mL of the compound of Formula I, apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture of any two ormore thereof, in the subject's plasma. In such treatment methods, theformulation is administered once, twice, three, four times, or moredaily or weekly.

In other embodiments related to methods of treating cancer, the salt orformulation is administered in an amount sufficient to maintain C_(min)of the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, in subject's plasmaduring a dosing interval at steady-state of about 0.1 to about 6,000ng/mL, about 0.1 to 1,000 ng/mL, about 0.1 to 500 ng/mL, about 1 to 150ng/mL or 1 to 10 ng/mL. To allow rapid achievement of steady-stateplasma concentration level, a loading dose of the salt or formulationmay be administered prior to the daily administration of the salt orformulation. The ratio of the amount of loading dose to amount of thedaily dose is about 3 to 20.

In other embodiments of the method for treating cancer, the cancers tobe treated include, but are not limited to, bladder, breast, brain, headand neck, liver, biliary tract, carcinomas, acute and chronic lymphoidleukemias, acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronicmyelomonocytic leukemias, colorectal, gastric, gastrointestinal stromal,glioma, lymphomas, melanomas, multiple myeloma, myelo-proliferativediseases, neuroendocrine, lung, small cell lung, pancreatic, prostate,renal cell, sarcomas and thyroid cancers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 A: SEM Micrograph of compound of Formula I as free base.

FIG. 1B: SEM Micrograph of compound of Formula I as mesylate salt.

FIG. 1C: SEM Micrograph of compound of Formula I as esylate salt.

FIG. 1D: SEM Micrograph of compound of Formula I as maleate salt.

FIG. 2A: Sorption results for compound of Formula I as free base.

FIG. 2B: TG/DTA results for compound of Formula I as free base.

FIG. 3A: Sorption results for compound of Formula I as mesylate salt.

FIG. 3B: TG/DTA results for compound of Formula I as mesylate salt.

FIG. 4A: Sorption results for compound of Formula I as esylate salt.

FIG. 4B: TG/DTA results for compound of Formula I as esylate salt.

FIG. 5A: Sorption results for compound of Formula I as maleate salt.

FIG. 5B: TG/DTA results for compound of Formula I as maleate salt.

FIG. 6: Overlay graph of sorption results for the free base and salts ofthe compound of Formula I: -♦-, free base; --, maleate salt; -▪-,esylate; -x-, mesylate.

FIG. 7: Plasma concentrations of the free base, mesylate and esylatesalts of the compound of Formula I after a single 100 mg oral dose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Salts and formulations of salts of benzimidazolyl pyridyl ethercompounds are provided. Such formulations may be used to inhibit RAFkinase, an important kinase enzyme in the MAPK pathway. The formulationsare useful, for example, in treating patients with cancer and/or a needfor an inhibitor of RAF kinase.

The following abbreviations and definitions are used throughout thisapplication:

“Adsorbent carrier” refers to materials, usually solid, employed toadsorb and/or absorb a liquid formulation.

“API” is an abbreviation thr active pharmaceutical ingredient. As usedherein, unless otherwise noted, API refers to the compound:{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine.

“AUC” is an abbreviation for area under the curve in a graph of theconcentration of a compound in blood plasma over time.

“Cellulose” includes the various forms of cellulose known for use inpharmaceutical formulations, including but not limited to, ethylcellulose, cellulose acetate, carboxymethyl cellulose calcium, sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, (e.g., Nos.2208, 2906, 2910), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose phthalate,microcrystalline cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Suitable forms ofmicrocrystalline cellulose for use in formulations of the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, the materials sold as AVICEL-PH-101,AVICEL-PH-103 AVICEL RC-581, AVICEL-PH-105 (available from FMCCorporation, American Viscose Division, Avicel Sales, Marcus Hook, Pa.),and mixtures thereof.

“C_(max)” is an abbreviation that refers to the maximum observedconcentration of a compound in the plasma, tissue, or blood of a subjectto which the compound has been administered. C_(max) typically occurswithin several minutes to several hours following administration of acompound to a subject, and is dependent upon the intrinsicphysicochemical and biological properties of the compound.

“C_(min)” is an abbreviation that refers to the minimum observedconcentration of a compound in the plasma, tissue, or blood of a subjectduring a time interval between administrations of the compound. C_(min)typically occurs at the end of the interval between times of compoundadministration.

“Steady-state”, as used herein, refers to the time during repeatedadministration of a compound at a fixed dosing schedule when C_(max) andC_(min) in each dosing interval become constant over time. C_(max) andC_(min) in each dosing interval may increase at the beginning of therepeated administration of a compound at a fixed dosing schedule.Eventually after some time period the C_(max) and C_(min) in a dosinginterval will no longer increase and remain constant over time and areconsidered at steady-state. Time to reach “steady-state” after repeatedadministration of a compound at a fixed dosing schedule depends on therate of elimination of the compound in subject's blood.

Croscarmellose sodium is cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

“Crospovidone” is a water-insoluble cross-linked homopolymer of1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone typically having an empirically determinedaverage molecular weight of greater than 1,000,000.

“Cyclodextrin” refers to a family of cyclic oligosaccharides containingat least six D-(+)-glucopyranose units.

“DMSO” is an abbreviation for dimethylsulfoxide.

“EtOAc” is an abbreviation for ethyl acetate.

“EtOH” is an abbreviation for ethanol.

“Fatty acid,” as used herein, refers to any of the members of a largegroup of monobasic acids, especially those found in animal and vegetablefats and oils. In some embodiments the fatty acid is straight orbranched chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 to 22 carbons, whereinthe carboxylic acid is at one terminus of the carbon chain.

“Glycerides,” as used herein, refers to esters formed between one ormore acids and glycerol. In some embodiments, the acids are fatty acids.Medium-chain glycerides are glycerol esters of medium-chain fatty acidscontaining from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, or, in some embodiments, 6 to 10carbon atoms. Medium chain fatty acids include: caproic acid (C6);caprylic acid (C8), capric acid (C10), and lauric acid (C12). Long chainglycerides are glycerol esters of long chain fatty acids containing from12 to 22 carbon atoms, or in some embodiments, 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

“HDPE” is an abbreviation for high density polyethylene.

“HGC” is an abbreviation for hard gelatin capsule.

“HLB” is an abbreviation for hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. It is theratio of water-soluble to oil-soluble portions of a molecule and iscalculated according to the following formula:

HLB=% hydrophile by weight of molecule/5.

(Griffin W C, Classification of Surface-Active Agents by ‘HLB’; Journalof the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 1 (1949) 311; Griffin W C,Calculation of HLB Values of Non-Ionic Surfactants; Journal of theSociety of Cosmetic Chemists 5 (1954) 259.)

“HPLC” is an abbreviation for high performance liquid chromatography.

“HPMC” is an abbreviation for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

“Hr” is an abbreviation for hour(s).

“Hydrophilic,” as used herein, refers to a material that readilydissolves in water or dissolves water. “Hydrophilic solvents” aresolvents, which dissolve or disperse a solute and which itself alsodissolve in water or dissolve water.

“LAH” is an abbreviation for lithium aluminum hydride.

“Lipid,” as used herein, refers to any of a group of organic compounds,including, but not limited to the fats, oils, waxes, sterols, andtriglycerides, that are insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolarorganic solvents, and are oily to the touch.

“Lipophilic,” as used herein, refers to a material that readilydissolves in lipids or dissolves lipids. “Lipophilic solvents” aresolvents which dissolve or disperse a solute and which itself dissolvesin lipids or dissolves lipids.

“LCMS” is an abbreviation for liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy.

“MeOH” is an abbreviation for methanol.

“MPEG” is an abbreviation for methoxypolyethylene glycol, a polyetherhaving the general formula CH₃O[CH₂CH₂O]_(n)H, and having a wide rangeof average molecular weight. As used herein and except as otherwiseindicated, MPEG may have an average molecular weight of front about 100to about 20,000 g/mol, or higher.

“MTBE” is an abbreviation for methyl-tert-butyl ether.

“NMR” is an abbreviation for nuclear magnetic resonance.

“PEG” is an abbreviation for polyethyleneglycol, a polyether polymer ofethylene glycol having the general formula HO[CH₂CH₂O]_(n)H, and havinga wide range of average molecular weight. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the PEG has an average molecular weight of from about1,000 g/mol to about 20,000 g/mol. In other embodiments, the PEG has anaverage molecular weight of from about 1,000 g/mol to about 10,000g/mol, and in other embodiments, from about 1,000 to about 4,000 g/mol.

“Phospholipid,” as used herein, refers to phosphorous-containing lipidsthat are composed mainly of fatty acids, a phosphate group, and a simpleorganic molecule, e.g. glycerol. Phospholipids may also be referred toas phosphatides.

“PEO” is an abbreviation for polyethylene oxide. As used herein, andexcept as otherwise indicated, polyethylene oxide is a polyether polymerof ethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of greater than20,000 g/mol. In some embodiments, the average molecular weight of PEOis from greater than 20,000 up to 300,000 g/mol. PEO may be used in theform of copolymers with other polymers.

The apparent pKa of the compound of Formula I refers to the apparentionization constant of the compound of Formula I as determined by a pHprofile solubility study. Thus, the apparent pKa of the compound ofFormula I is a complex term consisting of three overlapping ionizationconstants of the basic nitrogens in Formula I.

Povidone, as used herein, is a polymer of 1-vinyl-2-pyrroldinone, andhaving a wide range of average molecular weight. In some embodiments,the povidone has an average molecular weight of from about 2,500 g/molto about 300,000 g/mol, or greater.

“RH” is an abbreviation for relative humidity.

“rt” is an abbreviation for room temperature.

“SEDDS” is an abbreviation for self-emulsifying drug delivery systems.

Simulated gastric fluid, as used herein, refers to simulated gastricfluid USP/NF.

“SMEDDS” is an abbreviation for self-microemulsifying drug deliverysystems.

“Sorbitan,” as used herein, refers to dehydrated Sorbitol.

“Starch” refers to a complex carbohydrate consisting of amylase andamylopectin. “Pregelatinized starch” is starch that has been chemicallyand/or mechanically processed to rupture all or part of the granules inthe presence of water and subsequently dried. Some types ofpregelatinized starch may be modified to render them compressible andflowable in character.

“Sugar fatty acid,” as used herein, refers to a fatty acid with a sugarmoiety attached.

“Surfactant,” as used herein, stands for “surface active agent”, and isa substance which lowers the surface tension of the medium in which itis dissolved, and/or lowers the interfacial tension with other phases,and, accordingly, is positively adsorbed at the liquid/vapor and/or atother interfaces. The term surfactant further includes sparingly solublesubstances which lower the surface tension of a liquid by spreadingspontaneously over the surface of the liquid.

“TBACl” is an abbreviation for tert-butylammonium chloride.

“TFAA” is an abbreviation for trifluoroacetic anhydride.

“THF” is an abbreviation for tetrahydrofuran.

“TLC” is an abbreviation for thin layer chromatography.

A “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” includes a salt with an inorganicbase, organic base, inorganic acid, organic acid, or basic or acidicamino acid. Salts of inorganic bases include, e.g., alkali metals suchas sodium or potassium; alkaline earth metals such as calcium andmagnesium or aluminum; and ammonia. Salts of organic bases include,e.g., trimethylamine, triethylamine, pyridine, picoline, ethanolamine,diethanolamine, and triethanolamine. Salts of inorganic acids include,e.g., hydrochloric acid, hydroboric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid,and phosphoric acid. Salts of organic acids include, e.g., formic acid,acetic acid, fumaric acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid,lactic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, methanesulfonicacid, benzenesulfonic acid, and p-toluenesulfonic acid. Salts of basicamino acids include, e.g., arginine, lysine and ornithine. Acidic aminoacids include, e.g., aspartic acid and glutamic acid.

The term “subject,” as used herein, refers to any animal that canexperience the beneficial effects of the formulations and methodsembodied herein. Thus, a compound of Formula I, a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, or mixtures of any two or more thereof may beadministered to any animal that can experience the beneficial effects ofthe compound in accordance with the methods of treating cancer providedherein. Preferably, the animal is a mammal, and in particular a human,although it is not intended to be so limited. Examples of other suitableanimals include, but are not limited to, rats, mice, monkeys, dogs,cats, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and the like.

“Treating,” as used herein, refers to an alleviation of symptomsassociated with a disorder or disease, or halt or slowing of furtherprogression or worsening of those symptoms, or prevention or prophylaxisof the disease or disorder. For example, within the context of cancer,successful treatment may include an alleviation of symptoms, or haltingor slowing of the progression of the disease, as measured by a reductionin the growth rate of a tumor, a halt in the growth of the tumor, areduction in the size of a tumor, partial or complete remission of thecancer, or increased survival rate or clinical benefit.

“Solvate,” as used herein, refers to an association of a solvent with acompound, in the crystalline form. The solvent association is typicallydue to the use of the solvent in the synthesis, crystallization, and/orrecrystallization of the compound.

“Hydrate,” as used herein, refers to an association of water with acompound, in the crystalline form. The water association is typicallydue to the use of the water in the synthesis, crystallization, and/orrecrystallization of the compound, and may also be a result of thehygroscopic nature of the compound.

“About,” as used herein in conjunction with a stated numerical value,refers to a value within ±10% of the stated numerical value.

As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, “a” or “an” refers to“one or more.”

It will be readily understood by those of skill in the art, that somematerials identified below as belonging to a category such as asurfactant, a polymeric carrier, or as a coating material may fall intoone or more of those categories, although not listed as part of theother categories. For example, hydroxypropyl cellulose is a polymericcarrier in some embodiments, and/or may be used as a coating for acapsule or tablet in other embodiments. Other such materials belongingin more than one category, but listed in only one category, will bereadily identified by one of skill in the art.

Salts and compositions and formulations of salts of benzimidazolylpyridyl ether compounds are provided in accordance with one aspect ofthe present invention. More specifically, the invention herein pertainsto salts and formulations comprising salts of a compound of Formula I,and to methods for preparing and using such formulations. As usedthroughout this disclosure, Formula I refers to{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine,a compound having the structure:

It will be understood by those of skill in the art, that a compound ofFormula I, can also exist in the form of solvates and/or hydrates andthat all such solvates and hydrates are encompassed by the compound andstructure of Formula I.

It should also be understood that organic compounds according to theinvention may exhibit the phenomenon of tautomerism. As drawings of achemical structure can only represent one possible tautomeric form at atime, it should be understood that the compound of Formula I encompassesany tautomeric form of the drawn structure. For example, one possibletautomer of the compound of Formula I is shown below as Tautomer Ia:

Those of skill in the art, will recognize and understand that thecompound of Formula I, and tautomers thereof, may also exist in solvateand/or hydrate forms and are also encompassed by the compound and/orstructure of Formula I. Likewise, pharmaceutically acceptable salts ofthe compound of Formula also encompass the corresponding solvates and/orhydrates of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compound ofFormula I.

Salts and Formulations of Salts

In one aspect, the present invention provides salts of benzimidazolylpyridyl ethers such as{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine.Salts of the compound of Formula I include acetate, tosylate, succinate,lactate, malate, sulfate, maleate, citrate, hydrochloride, phosphate,and methanesulfonate salts. In some embodiments, the salts are selectedfrom{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)aminehydrochloride,{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineethanesulfonate or{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)aminemethanesulfonate, or{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)aminemaleate. In some embodiments, the salts of the compound of Formula I areselected to have a minimum aqueous solubility of at least 2, 5, or 10times or more than the free base. For example, such salts can have asolubility of at least about 0.058 mg/mL in distilled water.

In another aspect, the invention provides a composition or formulationcomprising a pharmaceutically acceptable acid salt of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineand a surfactant. The compositions and formulations described herein maybe solids or liquids and generally have improved solubilities anddissolution rates over the unformulated free base or salts of thecompound of Formula I.

While many pharmaceutically acceptable acids may be used as the cognateacid in acid salts of the invention, acids having a pKa of about 4.7 orless than 4.7 are particularly useful. While not intending to be solimited, because the apparent pKa of the compound of Formula I isbelieved to be about 4.7, acids with pKas at or below this level canimprove the solubility of the compound. Thus, in some embodiments ofcompositions or formulations of the invention, the cognate acid of theacid salt has a pKa of from about 4.7 about −6. In other embodiments,the cognate acid of the acid salt has a pKa of from about 4 to about −6,about 3 to about −6, about 2 to about −6, about 4.7 to about −5, about4.7 to about −4, about 4.7 to about −3, about 4 to about −5, about 4 toabout −4, about 4 to about −3, about 3 to about −6, and about 3 to about−5, about 3 to about −3, and about 2.5 to about −3.

Suitable cognate acids of the acid salts of the invention include acarboxylic acid, carbonic acid, acid salt of an amino acid, ascorbicacid, isoascorbic acid, amino acid, polyamino acid, alkanesulfonic acid,inorganic acid, polymeric acid, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.For example, the cognate acid of the acid salt can be malic acid, citricacid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, fumaricacid, acetic acid, formic acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, phthalicacids, creatinine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiaminehydrochloride, cysteine hydrochloride, glycine hydrochloride, cystinedihydrochloride, peptides, toluene sulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid,ethanesulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, orthophosphoricacid, hydrochloric acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid,sodium metabisulfite, potassium phosphate monobasic, polyphosphoricacid, polyvinylsulfuric acid, polyvinylsulfonic acid, or a mixture ofany two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the cognate acid of theacid salt is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, sulfuric acid,maleic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid and methanesulfonic acid.

Compositions and formulations of the invention may include a range ofamounts of the pharmaceutically acceptable acid salt of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine.For example, the amount of this salt can range from about 0.1 wt % toabout 80 wt %, from about 0.5 wt % to about 70 wt %, from about 1 wt %to about 50 wt % or from about 1 wt % to about 25 wt % based upon thetotal weight of the composition. The amount of active pharmaceuticalingredient in compositions and formulations of the invention varies withthe intended application, and it is well within the skill of those inthe art to determine the appropriate amount for any particularapplication based on the disclosure herein.

Any suitable surfactant can be used in compositions and formulations ofthe invention. The surfactant is typically used to improve wetting ofAPI and excipients, and prevent the acid salts of the invention,especially salts of the compound of Formula I existing in ionizationequilibrium with its free base in aqueous media, from precipitating upondilution in aqueous solution, although the invention is not intending tobe so limited. Thus, in some embodiments, the surfactant has an HLBvalue of about 8 or higher than 8. For example the surfactant may havean HLB value of from about 8 to about 40 or higher, from about 8 toabout 40, 18, 16, 14, 12, or 10. In other embodiments, the surfactantmay have an HLB value of about 9, 10, 11, or 12 to about 20, or fromabout 9 to about 18, about 9 to about 15, about 9 to about 16, about 10to about 18, about 10 to about 16, or about 10 to about 15.

Surfactants that may be used in compositions or formulations of theinvention include polyoxyethylene castor oil compounds, polyoxyethylenemono- and di-fatty, acid esters, mixtures of polyoxyethylene mono- anddi-esters of C₈-C₂₂ fatty acids and glyceryl mono-, di-, and tri-estersof C₈-C₂₂ fatty acids (e.g., sold under trade names Gelucire 44/14,Gelucire 50/13, Gelucire 53/10 by Gattefosse), d-α-tocopherylpolyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylenecopolymers, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylenealkyl ethers, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfate,sorbitan fatty acid esters, sugar fatty acid esters, or a mixture of anytwo or more thereof. In some embodiments, the surfactant can be polyoxyl35 castor oil, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyl 60hydrogenated castor oil, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60,polysorbate 80, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyl 150 stearate, polyoxyl150 distearate, d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate,poloxamer 124, poloxamer 188, poloxamer 407, sorbitan monolauryl ester,sorbitan monopalmityl ester, sorbitan monostearyl ester, or a mixture ofany two or more thereof. In still other embodiments, the surfactant canbe d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, poloxamer 188,Gelucire 44/14, Gelucire 50/13, Gelucire 53/10 or a mixture of any twoor more thereof.

Compositions and formulations of the invention may include a range ofamounts of the surfactant. For example, the amount of the surfactant canrange from about 0.01 wt % to about 60 wt %, from about 0.1 wt % toabout 50 wt % or from about 1 wt % to about 25 wt % based upon the totalweight of the composition. The amount of surfactant in compositions andformulations of the invention varies with the intended application, andit is well within the skill of those in the art to determine theappropriate amount for any particular application based on thedisclosure herein.

Compositions and formulations of the invention are characterized byhaving improved solubility and dissolution rates in aqueous solutionsover the free base or a salt of compound of Formula I. For example, insome embodiments, the composition or formulation including a surfactanthas a solubility of at least about 0.058 mg/mL in distilled water orsimulated gastric fluid. In other embodiments, the composition orformulation including a surfactant has a solubility of at least about0.092, 0.096, 0.46 or 0.78 mg/mL in distilled water or in simulatedgastric fluid. In still other embodiments the composition or formulationhas a solubility of at least about 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, or2.3 mg/mL in distilled water or simulated gastric fluid. In someembodiments, at least 90 wt % of a sample of a composition orformulation of the invention containing the equivalent of about 100 mgof{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)aminedissolves in 900 mL of simulated gastric fluid at 37±0.5° C. in about 90minutes or less than 90 minutes. In other embodiments, at least 90 wt %the sample dissolves in about 60 minutes or less than 60 minutes, or inabout 30 minutes or less than 30 minutes. In other embodiments at least95, 98 or 99 wt % of the sample dissolves in about 90, 60 or 30 minutesor in less than 90, 60 or 30 minutes.

Compositions and formulations of the invention may further includeadditional excipients such as a carrier, e.g., a polymeric carrier or anon-polymeric carrier. The carriers of the invention are polymers orother materials suitable for use as a medium to deliver a drugsubstance. Thus, e.g., a carrier may be an adsorbent carrier,disintegrant, binder, lubricant, glidant, or diluent that willfacilitate delivery of a drug substance to a subject. Suitable polymericcarriers include cross-linked povidone; cross-linked sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose; cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymer;cross-linked dextran; cross-linked carbomer; hydroxyethylcellulose;hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; hydroxypropylcellulose;hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-acetate succinate; cellulose acetatephthalate; α-, β-, or γ-cyclodextrin; polyanionic-β-cyclodextrins,sulfobutylether-7-β-cyclodextrin; acrylic resins selected fromhomopolymers of acrylic acid, homopolymers of acrylic acid derivatives,copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylic acid derivatives; methacrylicacid copolymers, polymethacrylate polymers, poly(methacrylic acid-methylmethacrylate), poly(methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate), ammoniomethacrylate copolymer, poly(ethylacrylate-methylmethacrylate-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylatechloride), poly(ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate), polyvinyl alcoholwith an average molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 200,000g/mol, polyvinylpyrrolidine/vinylacetate, povidone with an averagemolecular weight of from about 2,500 to about 300,000 g/mol,polyethylene glycol; starch; sodium starch glycolate; microcrystallinecellulose; silicified microcrystalline cellulose; polyethylene glycol;or a mixture of any two or more thereof. Suitable non-polymeric carriersinclude lactose; sorbitol; mannitol; calcium carbonate; dicalciumphosphate; aluminum magnesium silicate; talc; aluminum silicate;bentonite; silicon dioxide; or a mixture of any two or more thereof.

Compositions and formulations of the invention may be contained within acapsule or tablet. In capsules or tablets, the total mass of thepharmaceutically acceptable acid salt of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)aminemay, e.g., range from about 0.01 mg to about 400 mg, from about 0.1 toabout 400 mg, from about 1 to about 400 mg, from about 1 to about 100mg, from about 1 to about 50 mg, from about 1 to about 25 mg, from about1 to about 10 mg or from 1 to about 5 mg. In other embodiments, thetotal mass of the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, contained withinthe capsule or tablet, ranges from about 0.01 mg to about 10 mg, fromabout 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, from about 0.01 mg to about 5 mg, fromabout 0.1 mg to about 5 mg. In still other embodiments, the total massof the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, contained within thecapsule or tablet, ranges from about 0.01 mg to about 100 mg, from about0.1 mg to about 100 mg, from about 0.01 to about 50 mg, from about 0.1to about 50 mg, from about 0.01 mg to about 25 mg, or from about 0.1 mgto about 25 mg.

Compositions and formulations embodied herein may also includepharmaceutically acceptable additives such as an antioxidant, a coloringagent, a flavoring agent, a preservative, a sweetener, or a mixture ofany two or more thereof. Antioxidants suitable for use in the embodiedformulations include, hut are not limited to, ascorbic acid, ascorbylpalmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene,ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, salts of ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid, propyl gallate, sodium metabisulfite, vitamin E, esters of VitaminE, or a mixture of any two or more thereof. Preservatives suitable fixuse in the embodied formulations include, but are not limited to,butylparaben, calcium sorbate, ethylparaben, methylparaben,monothioglycerol, potassium sorbate, propylparaben, sodium benzoate,sodium sorbate, sorbic acid, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.Sweeteners suitable for use in the embodied formulations include, butare not limited to, aspartame, glycyrrhizin monoammoniumglycyrrhizinate, saccharin, saccharin calcium, saccharin sodium, sugar,sucralose, or a mixture of any two or more thereof. Flavoring agentssuitable for use in the embodied formulations include, but are notlimited to, citric acid, menthol, peppermint oil, sodium citrate,vanillin, ethyl vanillin, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.Coloring agents suitable for use in the embodied formulations include,but are not limited to, FD&C blue #1, FD&C blue #2, FD&C green #3, FD&Cred #3, FD&C red #4, FD&C yellow #5, FD&C yellow #6, D&C blue #4, D&Cgreen #5, D&C green #6, D&C orange #4, D&C orange #5, iron oxides, or amixture of any two or more thereof.

In some embodiments, formulations of the present disclosure are solidsolutions, or dispersions. In some such embodiments, formulations arecontained within a capsule or a tablet. In some embodiments, the capsuleis a hard shell capsule, a hard gelatin capsule, a soft gelatin capsule,natural pullulan capsule, or a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose shellcapsule. In some embodiments, the total mass of the pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid salt of the compound of Formula I, in the capsule ortablet ranges from about 1 mg to about 400 mg. In some embodiments, thecapsule or tablet is coated with polymer or gelatin, or is encapsulatedwithin a gelatin sheath. The capsule may be hard shell capsule and mayfurther have a band-sealed head section and a body section. Thecapsules, or tablets may be encapsulated within a gelatin sheath and thegelatin sheath may further include a pharmaceutically acceptablecoloring agent, a sweetener, an opacifier, or a mixture of any two ormore thereof. Optionally, capsules or tablets may be coated with asweetener, a cellulose polymer, a polymethacrylate polymer, polyvinylacetate phthalate, a gelatin, or a mixture of any two or more. Inembodiments where cellulose polymers are used to coat a capsule ortablet, the cellulose polymer may be selected from methylcellulose,hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, celluloseacetate phthalate, or a mixture of any two or more thereof. Inembodiments where a polymethacrylate polymer is used to coat a capsuleor tablet, the polymethacrylate polymer may be selected from methacrylicacid copolymers, poly(methacrylic acid-methylmethacrylate),poly(methacrylic acid-ethylacrylate), ammonio methacrylate copolymer,poly(ethyl acrylate-methylmethacrylate-trimethylammonioethylmethacrylate chloride), poly(ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate), or amixture of any two or more thereof.

Methods

In another aspect, methods for producing compositions and formulationsdescribed herein are provided. Thus, in some embodiments, the methodscomprise combining a pharmaceutically acceptable acid salt of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineand a surfactant to provide a composition or formulation as describedherein. In other embodiments, the methods include combining a compound,{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine,a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, and a surfactant to provide thecompositions and formulations of the invention described herein. Forexample, the compound, acid, and surfactant can be combined by mixingthe compound and acid together to provide a salt of the compound, andsubsequently mixing the salt of the compound with the surfactant toprovide a composition or formulation as described herein. The salt maybe in the form of a paste which may be dried and/or further processedprior to being mixed with the surfactant.

Alternatively, the compound and the acid can be mixed by dissolving thecompound and the acid in a formulation aid such as an organic solvent toform the salt of the compound. The salt can be isolated from the organicsolvent by, e.g., precipitation or removal of the organic solventthrough evaporation or under reduced pressure, or by any suitabletechnique known to those skilled in the art, including combinations oftwo or more such techniques. Organic solvents suitable for use asformulation aids include ketones, alcohols, ethers, esters or a mixtureof any two or more thereof. Exemplary organic solvents include acetone,tetrahydrofuran, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and mixtures of any twoor more. In some embodiments, the formulation aid is removed byspray-drying, and/or spray coating the formulation onto apharmaceutically acceptable carrier to form a solid dispersion, and/orgrinding the solid dispersion to form granules. In some embodiments,granules formed by such methods have a size of less than 250 μm. In someembodiments, the granules are screened (i.e., passed through a screen)to provide a uniform size distribution for filling a capsule with thegranules. In embodiments where tablets are prepared instead of capsules,the granules are mixed with excipients(s) as described below to form asecond mixture, which is then pressed into the tablet.

In some embodiments of methods of the invention, the amount of thepharmaceutically acceptable acid salt of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineranges from about 0.1 wt % to about 80 wt %, from about 0.5 wt % toabout 70 wt %, from about 1 wt % to about 50 wt % or from about 1 wt %to about 25 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition.

All methods of preparing compositions and formulations of the inventionmay further include combining a polymeric or non-polymeric carrier withthe acid salt and the surfactant. Any of the methods may further includecombining an antioxidant, a coloring agent, a cyclodextrin, a flavoringagent, a preservative, a sweetener, or a mixture of any two or morethereof with the acid salt and the surfactant. Suitable acids,surfactants, polymeric and non-polymeric carriers, antioxidants,coloring agents, cyclodextrins, flavoring agents, preservatives,sweeteners, and other excipients are as described throughout thisdisclosure. In some embodiments of methods of the invention, the amountof surfactant ranges from about 0.01 wt % to about 60 wt %, from about0.1 wt % to about 50 wt % or from about 1 wt % to about 25 wt % basedupon the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, theantioxidant is present at up to about 1 wt % based upon the total weightof the formulation. In other embodiments, the sweetener is present at upto about 2 wt % based upon the total weight of the formulation. In otherembodiments, the flavoring agent is present at up to about 2 wt % basedupon the total weight of the formulation.

In some embodiments, the methods further include forming at least onecapsule or tablet with the formulation. In such capsules or tablets, thetotal mass of the pharmaceutically acceptable acid salt of the compoundof Formula ranges from about 0.01 mg to about 400 mg, from about 0.1 toabout 400 mg, from about 1 to about 400 mg, from about 1 to about 100mg, from about 1 to about 50 mg, from about 1 to about 25 mg, from about1 to about 10 mg or from 1 to about 5 mg. In other embodiments, thetotal mass of the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, contained withinthe capsule or tablet, ranges from about 0.01 mg to about 10 mg, fromabout 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, from about 0.01 mg to about 5 mg, fromabout 0.1 mg to about 5 mg. In still other embodiments, the total massof the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, contained within thecapsule or tablet, ranges from about 0.01 mg to about 100 mg, from about0.1 mg to about 100 mg, from about 0.01 to about 50 mg, from about 0.1to about 50 mg, from about 0.01 mg to about 25 mg, or from about 0.1 mgto about 25 mg. In some such methods where a capsule is formed thecapsule may be, but is not limited to, those capsules as describedabove.

Sealing of capsules may be accomplished by many methods known to thoseof skill in the art. In some embodiments, sealing methods includespraying a mist of alcohol and water solution onto an inside lip of thehead section to cause the hard shell capsule to form an adhesive gel,placing the head section in position over the body section to form thecapsule, exposing the capsule to an elevated temperature of from about35° C. to about 55° C., and allowing the adhesive gel to set. In otherembodiments, the capsules are band-sealed.

Tablets formed by the disclosed methods are, in some embodiments, formedusing a conventional tablet press or molding calendar with a pair ofcounter-rotating, chilled molding rolls. Thus, methods of preparingsolid formulations include, but are not limited to hot melt methods asdescribed above and below in the examples, and solventdissolution/evaporation methods as described above and below in theexamples.

Packaging

Pharmaceutical packagings are ubiquitous throughout the industry andmost are well-suited to the formulations disclosed. Pharmaceuticalpackagings and/or containers for inventive formulations may include astorage vessel for one or more capsules, tablets, cachets, or lozengesof formulations embodied herein. Such embodiments of storage vesselsinclude those made of any of a number of pharmaceutically compatiblepolymers, glasses and metals, including, e.g., high densitypolyethylene. Disclosed pharmaceutical packagings include blisterpackaging, with at least one capsule, tablet, cachet, or lozenge of theformulation(s) disclosed herein. Further, such storage vessels mayinclude a cotton or rayon coil and/or a heat induction seal. Suitablepackaging is widely known to those of skill in the art and is notlimiting of the broader aspects of this disclosure.

Methods of Treating

In another aspect, methods for treating cancer, inhibiting angiogenesis,and/or inhibiting RAF kinase in a subject are provided. In someembodiments, the method comprises administering to a subject in need ofa cancer treatment, a composition or formulation as described herein. Insome embodiments, the method comprises administering to a subject inneed of an angiogenesis inhibitor, a formulation embodied herein. Inother embodiments, methods comprise administering to a subject in needof an RAF kinase inhibitor, a formulation embodied herein. Theformulations are typically administered in an amount sufficient toprovide a C_(max) of about 0.1 to about 5,000 ng/mL, from about 0.1 to1,000 ng/mL, about 0.1 to 500 ng/mL, or about 1 to 150 ng/mL and/or anAUC_(0→∞) of about 0.01 to about 5,000 μg*min/mL, about 1 to about 5,000μg*min/mL, about 1 to about 2,000 μg*min/mL, or about 1 to about 1,000μg*min/mL of the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, in the subject'splasma. However, while exemplified dosage rates were used in controlledstudies, administered dosages of API in a subject may range from about0.01 mg to about 50 mg per kilogram body mass of the subject, includingfrom about 0.01 mg/kg to about 25, from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 10mg/kg, or from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 mg/kg.

Treatment regimens and methods of treating a subject with a compound ofFormula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture ofany two or more thereof, are provided. In some embodiments, methods oftreating cancer and/or inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject includeadministering a formulation of a compound of Formula I, apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture of any two ormore thereof, once, twice, three times, four, or more times daily. Insome embodiments, administration of such formulations includes treatmentcycles of administering such formulations daily for 7, 14, 21, or 28days, followed by 7 or 14 days without administration of theformulation. In other embodiments, the treatment cycle includesadministration of the formulation daily for 7 days, followed by 7 dayswithout administration of the compound. In some embodiments, thetreatment cycle is repeated one or more times.

As noted above, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound ofFormula I may be used for the treatment of various cancers in a subject.In some embodiments, the cancer to be treated includes, but is notlimited to, bladder, breast, brain, head and neck, liver, biliary tract,carcinomas, acute and chronic lymphoid leukemias, acute and chronicmyelogenous leukemias, chronic myelomonocytic leukemias, colorectal,gastric, gastrointestinal stromal, glioma, lymphomas, melanomas,multiple myeloma, myeloproliferative diseases, neuroendocrine, lung,pancreatic, prostate, renal cell, sarcomas, and thyroid cancers.

In any formulation, method, or packaging of the present invention it iscontemplated where capsules are so provided, tablets may also beprovided and where tablets are so provided, capsules may also beprovided. Where tablets and/or capsules are so provided, cachets and/orlozenges may also be provided.

One skilled in the art wilt readily realize that all ranges discussedcan and do necessarily also describe all subranges therein for allpurposes and that all such subranges also form part and parcel of thisinvention. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficientlydescribing and enabling the same range being broken down into at leastequal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limitingexample, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into alower third, middle third and upper third, etc.

All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and otherdocuments referred to in this specification are herein incorporated byreference as if each individual publication, patent application, issuedpatent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated tobe incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that arecontained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extentthat they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

The present embodiments, thus generally described, will be understoodmore readily by reference to the following examples, which are providedby way of illustration and are not intended to be limiting of thepresent invention.

EXPERIMENTAL

Nomenclature for the compounds was provided using ACD Name version 5.07software (Nov. 14, 2001) available from Advanced Chemistry Development,Inc., ChemInnovation NamExpert+Nomenclator™ brand software availablefrom ChemInnovation Software, Inc., and AutoNom version 2.2 available inthe ChemOffice® Ultra software package version 7.0 available fromCambridgeSoft Corporation (Cambridge, Mass.). Some of the compounds andstarting materials were named using standard IUPAC nomenclature.

Various starting materials may be obtained from commercial sources andprepared by methods known to one of skill in the art.

Example 1 Synthesis of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amine(Formula I)

Step 1

A 500 mL three-neck flask was fitted with a mechanical stirrer andcharged with K₂CO₃ (4.15 g, 30 mmol). The vessel was sealed, evacuated,and flame dried. The apparatus was allowed to cool to rt and purged withargon. To the reaction flask was added 4-amino-3-nitrophenol 1a (3.08 g,20 mmol), tert-butyl 4-chloropyridine-2-carboxylate 1b (5.2 g, 24 mmol)and dry DMSO (30 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred vigorously andheated to 100° C. for ˜14 h. The reaction was poured over iced phosphatebuffer (pH=7) and the reaction flask was rinsed well with MTBE andwater. The combined biphasic mixture was filtered through Celite (>2 cmpad). The layers were partitioned and separated and the aqueous phasewas extracted with MTBE (3×100 ml). The combined organic layers werewashed with water (5×100 mL), dried (MgSO₄), and evaporated. The cruderesidue was adsorbed onto SiO₂, and purified by flash chromatography(4:1, 2:1, 1:1 hexanes/EtOAc) to furnish 4.92 g (14.9 mmol, 74% yield)of 1c as a yellow brown solid. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.58 (d, J=5.8Hz, 1H), 7.90 (d, J=2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (dd,J=2.8, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (dd, J=2.8, 5.8, Hz, 1H), 6.91 (d, J=9.1 Hz,1H), 6.15 (br s, 2H), 1.62 (s, 9H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 165.8,164.0, 151.8, 151.5, 143.4, 143.2, 131.5, 129.8, 121.0, 118.0, 114.2,113.1, 83.0, 28.4; mp 163-166° C.

Step 2

To a solution of 1c (5.62 g, 17 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (85 mL) at 0° C. wasadded TFAA (2.4 mL, 3.6 g, 17 mmol). The cooling bath was then removedand the reaction maintained at rt for 2 h. The reaction was cooled to 0°C. and TBACl (2.5 g, 8.5 mmol), Me₂SO₄ (3.2 mL, 4.3 g 34 mmol), and 10%NaOH (34 mL) were added. The resulting mixture was stirred vigorouslyfor 4 h at rt. The reaction was diluted with water and the resultinglayers were partitioned and separated. The aqueous phase was extractedwith CH₂Cl₂ (3×100 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed withbrine (2×100 mL), dried (MgSO₄), and evaporated. The crude residue wasadsorbed onto silica gel and purified by flash chromatography (4:1, 2:1,1:1, 1:2 hexanes/EtOAc) to give 4.5 g (13.0 mmol, 76%) of 1d as ayellow-orange solid. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.54 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H),8.04 (br d, J=4.7 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (d, J=2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (d, J=2.5 Hz,1H), 7.25 (app dd, J=2.8, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (m, 2H), 3.04 (d, J=4.9 Hz,3H), 1.59 (s, 9H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 165.9, 164.1, 151.5, 144.7,142.1, 130.4, 118.8, 115.5, 114.1, 112.9, 82.9, 30.4, 28.5; mp 187-189°C.

Step 3

A flame dried 500 mL three necked round bottom flask purged with N₂ wascharged with LAH (3.0 g, 75 mmol) and dry THF (240 mL). The resultingsuspension was cooled to 0° C. and 1d (20.7 g, 60 mmol) was slowly addedwhite keeping the internal reaction temperature under 5° C. The reactionmixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 h followed by stirring at rtovernight. NaBH₄ (2.27 g, 60 mmol) was added and the reaction mixturewas stirred for an additional hour at rt. After the reaction was judgedcomplete, the reaction mixture was treated with successive dropwiseaddition of water (3 mL), 15% NaOH (3 mL), and water (9 mL). Theresulting mixture was filtered through Celite, and the remaining solidswere washed with EtOAc and MeOH. The combined organic portions wereevaporated and the resulting crude residue was adsorbed onto SiO₂ andpurified by flash chromatography (97:3 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to afford 7.63 g(27.7 mmol, 46%) of a red-orange solid as 1e. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ8.40 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (br s, 1H), 7.96 (d, J=2.75 Hz, 1H), 7.29(d, J=2.75 Hz, 1H), 6.92 (d, J=9.35 Hz, 1H), 6.75 (m, 2H), 4.68 (s, 2H),3.07 (d, J=5.23 Hz, 3H).

Step 4

A 100 mL round bottom flask was charged with 1e (1.38 g, 5.0 mmol), MnO₂(6.52 g, 75 mmol) and CHCl₃ (20 mL). The resulting suspension stirred atrt for 2 d. The reaction mixture was filtered through Celite, and theremaining solids were washed successively with CHCl₃ and EtOH. Thecombined organic portions were evaporated, absorbed onto silica gel, andpurified by flash chromatography (98:2 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give 790 mg (2.89mmol, 58%) of an orange solid as 1f. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 10.01 (s,1H), 8.64 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 8.09 (br s, 1H), 7.96 (d, J=2.75 Hz, 1H),7.37 (d, J=2.48 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=2.75 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (dd, J=2.47, 5.5Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=9.35 Hz, 1H), 3.08 (d, J=5.23 Hz, 3H).

Step 5

Ketone 1g (Lancaster, 25.75 mL, 136.5 mmol) was added to a solution ofsodium acetate (NaOAc) (22.4 g, 273 mmol) in H₂O (60 mL) and theresulting solution heated to 100° C. for 10 min. After cooling to rt,the solution of 1h was added to a suspension of 1f (25 g, 91 mmol) inNH₄OH (150 mL) and MeOH (450 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred atrt overnight. TLC (95:5 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) showed complete consumption of 1f.The crude product was concentrated into an aqueous slurry, andpartitioned with saturated Na₂CO₃ and CH₂Cl₂. The aqueous phase wasextracted three times with CH₂Cl₂, and the combined organics washed withbrine, dried with MgSO₄, and concentrated to give 31.6 g of 1i (83 mmol)as an orange solid (91% yield). No further purification was required.

Step 6

A slurry of 1i (45.76 g, 120 mmol) MeOH (220 mL) and EtOAc (200 mL) wassparged with N₂ for 20 min, and then charged with a suspension of 10%Pd/C (12.77 g, 120 mmol) in MeOH (60 mL). The reaction was purged withH₂ and maintained under a H₂ atmosphere for 2 days. The reaction wasfiltered through a pad of Celite and the collected solids were washedsuccessively with MeOH and EtOAc. The combined organic filtrates wereevaporated, and the resulting solid was azeotroped with CH₂Cl₂ and driedovernight, under vacuum, to give 40.17 g (115 mmol) of 1j as a tanpowder (96% yield). LCMS m/z 336.1 (MH⁺), t_(R)=1.81 min.

Step 7

4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl isothiocyanate (23.37 g, 115 mmol) was addedto a stirring solution of 1j (40.17 g, 115 mmol) in MeOH (460 mL) at rt.The reaction was maintained at rt for 16 h. After the reaction wasjudged complete, a solution of FeCl₃ (20.52 g, 126.5 mmol) in MeOH (50mL) was added to the reaction and the resulting mixture was stirred atrt overnight. The crude reaction mixture was added to a 3 L separatoryfunnel containing EtOAc (750 mL) and water (750 mL). The layers wereseparated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (aqueous phasesaved). The organic layers were combined, washed with saturated aqueousNa₂CO₃ solution, water, and brine, then dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated.The saved aqueous phase was made basic (pH=10) by addition of saturatedaqueous Na₂CO₃ solution and the resulting slurry was added to a 3 Lseparatory funnel containing EtOAc (500 mL). The mixture was agitatedand the resulting emulsion was filtered through filter paper, and thelayers were then separated and the aqueous phase was extracted withEtOAc (2×500 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine,then dried (MgSO₄), added to previously extracted material andconcentrated. The combined product was triturated with CH₂Cl₂ (500 mL),adsorbed onto SiO₂ and purified by flash chromatography. A finaltrituration of material with CH₂Cl₂ produced the compound of Formula Ias a pure, white solid. LCMS m/z 519.1 (MH+); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ8.44 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.61 (dd, J=2.2, 8.5 Hz,1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.56 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (app d, J=8.5Hz, 1H), 7.23 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (dd, J=2.2, 8.5 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (dd,J=2.5, 5.5 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (s, 3H); LCMS m/z=519.0, t_(R)=2.57 min (MH⁺);Anal. calc'd for C₂₄H₁₆F₆N₆O: C, 55.6; H, 3.11, N, 16.21. Found: C,55.81; H, 3.43; N, 16.42; mp: 217-220° C. (dec.).

Example 2 Aqueous Solubility of API

The aqueous solubility of the compound of Formula I was assessed as afunction of pH. Solubility of the compound of Formula I was determinedusing the shake flask method. The following aqueous solutions ofhydrochloric acid (HCl) were prepared: 100, 33.3, 11.1, 3.7, 1.2, 0.4,and 0 mM. The following aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide (NaOH)were prepared: 1.2 and 0.4 mM. The ionic strength of each of thesesolutions was adjusted to 0.15 using potassium chloride. Excess amountsof the compound of Formula I were added to a 1 mL aliquot of each of theabove solutions in 1.5-mL polypropylene tubes. The tubes were agitatedat room temperature for 5 days before analysis. On the day of analysis,the tubes were centrifuged at 15,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) usinga microcentrifuge at 22° C. for 20 minutes. The concentration ofcompound of Formula I in the supernatant was measured by HPLC. The pH ofthe supernatant was measured using an Orion pH meter, which wascalibrated before use.

The aqueous solubility of the compound at various pHs is listed in thefollowing Table 1. As shown,{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineis practically insoluble in water.

TABLE 1 Aqueous Solubility of API as a function of pH pH Solubility(mg/mL) 1.36 0.7094 2.19 0.1253 3.75 0.0019 5.78 0.0004 10.13 0.000311.00 0.0003

Example 3 Preparation of Salts of the Compound of Formula I

The compound of Formula I was prepared as described in Example 1.Hydrochloric acid (HCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), acetic acid, lacticacid, succinic acid, malic acid, citric acid, ethanesulfonic acid,maleic acid, methanesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, phosphoricacid, and sulfuric acid were all United States Pharmacopoeia-NationalFormulary (USP-NF) grade or ACS grade.

Conversion of the compound of Formula I to various salt forms wasaccomplished via an acid-base reaction in an organic liquid mediumfollowed by a slow evaporation of the organic solvent, except for themesylate, esylate, and maleate salts which were prepared as described inExample 6, below. An accurately weighed amount of the compound ofFormula I (443.4 mg) was dissolved in a total of 8.39 mL of a solventmixture composed of 7.39 mL acetone and 1 mL methanol. 0.567 mL aliquotsof this solution were placed in 1.5 mL polypropylene tubes to yield 30mg of the solid compound of Formula I upon drying. Tubes containing thecompound of Formula I were left overnight in the chemical fume hood toair-dry. Equimolar amounts of the respective cognate acids were added tothe vials from acetonitrile (ACN) solutions of the acids (1 mL of 57.86mM acid solutions). The resulting converted salt suspensions wereagitated overnight at room temperature. The following day, the saltsuspensions were dissolved by the addition of 0.5 mL of methanol,agitated for 1 hr and allowed to air dry in the chemical fume hood. Upondrying, the solid salt materials were subjected to microscopicexamination and aqueous solubility testing. Microscopic examination wasperformed with a polarized light microscope to assess the crystallinenature of the materials. The salt solubility studies were performed byadding excess solid salt material to 1 mL of deionized water in 1.5 mLpolypropylene tubes and agitating for 48 hr at room temperature. Thetubes were then centrifuged at 15,000 rpm for 20 min at 22° C. in amicrocentrifuge. Concentrations of the various salts in the supernatantwere measured by HPLC and the pH of each was measured and recorded. Thesupernatant was then discarded and the pellets were resuspended indeionized water for another solubility determination.

HPLC analyses were performed using Waters Alliance™ 2695 SeparationModule equipped with Waters 2996 Diode Array Detector. Separation wasperformed using 4.6×150 mm Synergi Hydro-RP C 18 reversed phase HPLCcolumn at temperature of 35° C. Mobile phase conditions consisted of0.1% Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water (Solvent A) and 0.1% TFA in ACN(Solvent B). Flow was maintained at 1 mL/min with the linear gradientelution shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 HPLC Solvent Gradient Time % % (min.) Solvent A Solvent B 0 95 540 40 60 45 95 5 50 95 5Quantitative analyses of the compound of Formula I were performed at 254nm wavelength using an external standard curve.

In an attempt to increase the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate ofcompound of Formula I, initially ten acids were screened for theirability to form salts with the compound of Formula I free base. Theacids included relatively weak acids such as acetic and lactic acids.They also included strong acids such as sulfuric, hydrochloric,toluenesulfonic, and methanesulfonic acids as shown in Table 3.

The crystalline nature of each of the collected salts was assessedmicroscopically using a polarized light microscope. As shown in Table 3,microscopic examination of collected salts indicated that some saltswere crystalline and the others were mixtures of crystalline andamorphous phases. When the salts were evaluated for their equilibriumaqueous solubility, they exhibited low levels of solubility and low pHof the saturated solutions. Given the very weakly basic nature of thecompound of Formula I, it was assumed that the salts dissociated inaqueous media and mostly reverted back to the free base and therespective free acid counter ions during the equilibration process. Theresidual solids in these aqueous suspensions were, therefore, collected,and their aqueous solubility was evaluated in freshly added deionizedwater. As shown in Table 3, the obtained solubility is consistent withthat of the free base confirming that the salts reverted back to thefree base upon contact with water. The observed behavior of compound ofFormula I salts is not an unexpected one given the weak basicity and thelow intrinsic aqueous solubility of the compound. A closer inspection ofthe pH-solubility profile of compound of Formula I in Table 1 revealsthat the compound did not attain maximum solubility even at the lowestpH tested, i.e., pH 1.36. This indicates that the pH of a saturatedsolution of a salt of Formula I is lower than 1.36. Salts that require alow pH to attain the saturated solution are known to be unstable and torevert back to the free base when in contact with aqueous media(Serajuddin A. T. M. and Pudipeddi M. Salt Selection Strategies. InHandbook of Pharmaceutical Salts Properties, Selection, and Use. StahlP. H. and Wernauth C. G. (Eds). 2002, Wiley-VCH).

TABLE 3 Salts of the Compound of Formula I Solubility of Solubility²Residual Solid⁴ Salt Crystallinity¹ (mg/mL) pH³ (mg/mL) Free BaseCrystalline 0.004 5.235 0.009 Acetate Crystalline 0.006 3.892 0.002Tosylate Mixture 0.011 2.91 0.006 Succinate Crystalline 0.018 2.5520.003 Lactate Crystalline 0.058 2.668 0.004 Malate Mixture 0.092 2.9180.001 Sulfate Mixture 0.096 2.517 0.021 Maleate Crystalline 0.096 2.4150.017 Citrate Mixture 0.155 2.405 0.006 Hydrochloride Crystalline 0.4572.079 0.010 Methanesulfonate Crystalline 0.774 1.992 0.004¹Crystallinity was assessed by polarized light microscope; ²Aqueoussolubility of salts collected from organic solvent; ³pH of the saturatedaqueous solutions; ⁴Aqueous solubility of residual solids collected fromthe saturated aqueous solutions

Example 4 Capsule Solid Dosage Formulations

The API, a weak base, exhibits increased aqueous solubility as the pH ofthe medium is lowered. Thus, the aqueous solubility of API may beimproved through its conversion into an acidic salt form. Two acids,i.e., hydrochloric acid and methanesulfonic acid were chosen asprototypical acids to convert API free base into its salt forms.

The compound of Formula I was prepared as described in Example 1.d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS; EastmanChemicals), Gelucire 44/14 (Gattefosse), Poloxamer 188 (Pluronic F-68;Sigma chemicals), and Polyoxyl 40 stearate (Myrj 52-S, Uniqema) wereselected as the surfactants to aid as wetting agents and aqueoussolubility enhancers for API free base. These surfactants were chosenbecause they have higher HLB values and are solids at ambienttemperatures. Crospovidone (BASF), sodium starch glycolate, and Starch1500 (Colorcon) were chosen as potential disintegrants. Avicel PH 101(FMC), Povidone K30 (BASF), and fumed silica (Degussa Corporation) wereused as a bulking agent, a binder, and a glidant, respectively. PEG8000, oleic acid, methanesulfonic acid, hydrochloric acid, and acetonewere used as received.

Formulation Preparation

The formulations were prepared using three approaches: (1) by directlyemploying a harvested salt form of Formula, (2) utilizing solubilityenhancers coupled with in-situ salt formation and (2) utilizingsolubility enhancers alone. The formulations prepared using theseapproaches are summarized in Tables 4 and 5, respectively.

1. Use of Harvested and In-Situ Salt Formation to Prepare VariousFormulations

TABLE 4 Formulations using various salt formation processes Composition,%, w/w Ingredients #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 API (free base) 27.15 27.14 23.4822.99 23.89 Acetone¹ 250 250 0 0 0 HCl 37% 9.10 0 0 24.45 5.43Methanesulfonic acid 0 9.05 23.53 0 0 PEG 8000 0 0 0 0 41.27 AvicelPH101 21.67 21.80 18.35 18.18 0 Poloxamer 188 36.09 36.14 30.62 30.5618.19 TPGS 4.60 4.54 4.01 3.82 9.41 Fumed silica 1.39 1.32 0 0 1.81TOTAL 100 100 100 100 100 Capsule fill weight, mg 368 368 425 435 419Target API dose, mg 100 100 100 100 100 ¹Pharmaceutical aid, removedafter preparation.

Formulations #1 and #2 in Table 4, which employed harvested (i.e.,pre-isolated) salt forms, were prepared as follows: 3 g of API wasdissolved in 25 g of acetone and mixed with either 1 g of 37% HCl or 1 gof methanesulfonic acid (about twice the equimolar ratio to API). Theclear yellow solution so formed was set aside undisturbed for severalhours until the salt form of the API completely precipitated from thesolution. The precipitate was collected by filtration and dried. Thesalt form was blended with the rest of the excipients (except fumedsilica) and wet granulated with about 1.5 mL of water in a grinder. Thegranulation was then dried in a laminar flow hood at room temperaturefor more than 24 hours. The dried granulation was blended with fumedsilica in the grinder. The resultant granulation was stored in a 10 mLscintillation glass vial until needed for further use. Approximately 368mg of the granulation (i.e., equivalent to 100 mg API free base dose)were filled into size 00 hard gelatin capsules.

Formulations #3 and #4 in Table 4, which are salt forms prepared insitu, were prepared as follows: 3 g of API was mixed thoroughly witheither about 3 g of 37% HCl or about 3 g of methanesulfonic acid (aboutsix times the equimolar ratio to API) using a spatula to form ahomogeneous paste. The paste was set aside overnight. The paste wasmixed with the other excipients and granulated with about 1.5 mL ofwater in a in a grinder. The resultant granulation was dried and storedin a 10 mL scintillation glass vial until needed for further use.Approximately 435 mg of the granulation (i.e., equivalent to 100 mg APIfree base dose) were filled into size 00 hard gelatin capsules.

Formulation #5 in Table 4 was prepared with in-situ hydrochloride saltas follows: API was mixed with PEG 8000 at approximately 60° C. to forma paste. The paste was mixed with 37% HCl solution. Poloxamer 188 andTPGS were added to the hot melt and mixed thoroughly until a homogeneousmolten mass was formed. The molten mass was spread onto an Aluminum foilas thin sheets and allowed to cool. The sheets were cut, milled in agrinder, and mixed with fumed silica to form granules. Approximately 420mg of the granules (i.e., equivalent to 100 mg API free base dose) werefilled into size 00 hard gelatin capsules.

2. Comparative Examples Wet Granulation with Surfactants as SolubilityEnhancers

TABLE 5 Formulations using solubility enhancers Composition, %, w/wIngredients #6 #7 #8 API free base 11.4 12.8 20 PEG 8000 38.6 49.4 0Gelucire 44/14 0 0 39.7 Polyoxyl 40 stearate 30.6 0 0 TPGS 0 9.9 0Sodium starch glycolate 0 20 0 Crospovidone 15.5 0 40.3 Oleic acid 0 7.90 PVP K30 3.9 0 0 TOTAL 100 100 100 Capsule fill weight, mg 877 781 500Target API dose, mg 100 100 100Formulation prototypes #6, #7, and #8 in Table 5 were prepared asfollows:

All ingredients designated for each formulation prototype were blendedand granulated in a grinder using 2-2.5 mL water. The granulation wasdried and filled into size 00 hard gelatin capsules so that each capsulecontained 100 mg API free base.

Dissolution Methodology

The dissolution test was performed in 900 mL simulated gastric fluid(SGF) at 37±0.5° C. using a USP type 2 dissolution apparatus. Thedissolution test was (performed at 100 rpm paddle rotation speed.Sinkers were used to prevent the capsules from floating. Approximately2.5 mL samples were withdrawn through a coarse inline filter at 15, 30,45, 60, 90, and 120 minute intervals. The samples were further filteredthrough 0.45 μm disk filters and assayed using an HPLC procedure. Thedissolution profiles of the formulations prepared using the threeapproaches are summarized in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Dissolution profiles of API from capsule formulations in SGFmedia Time, % API released min #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 15 74.1 68.3 94.681.5 96.6 53.3 61.9 7.9 30 90.4 91.3 100.3 96.9 99.9 66.4 83.3 17.4 4599.7 96.8 99.4 98.6 99.6 70.7 93.2 27.0 60 99.8 99.7 99.0 102.0 99.972.9 97.6 34.9 90 100 100 100 100 100 75.1 100 43.8 Formulations #1-5were prepared using solubility enhancers and in-situ salt formationapproach; Formulations #6-8 were prepared using solubility enhancersonly approach

In an approach that couples solubility enhancers with the in-situ saltformation approach, salt formation was achieved either by dissolvingboth API and an acid in a suitable solvent, e.g., acetone or molten PEG8000 (e.g., #1, #2, and #5) and harvesting the salt that precipitatesout of solution for further processing or by directly mixing bothcomponents together in the acid and wet-granulating the blend with agranulation fluid (e.g., #3 and #4). The results suggest that thedissolution profiles were not influenced by either the type andequimolar ratio of acid used (hydrochloric acid versus methanesulfonicacid) or the method or process employed in generating the in-situ salt(solvent precipitation versus direct granulation in the presence of anacid) to prepare the granules. The resultant capsule provided a veryrapid dissolution, i.e. ≧90% API was released from the capsules in ≦30minutes. In contrast, the formulations prepared utilizing the solubilityenhancers alone approach (e.g., #6, #7, and #8) provided a less thanoptimal dissolution front the capsules.

Example 5 Tablet and Capsule Solid Dosage Formulations

Method 1: Wet Granulation.

In wet granulation methods, API and an acid are mixed at a molar ratioof 1:1 to 1:6, with or without deionized water, in a mixer to form thegranulating fluid. The other inactive ingredients are then wetgranulated using the granulating fluid. The resultant wet mixture isdried and milled to give uniform granules. Additional excipients can beadded to the granules to produce a final blend. The final blend isfilled into two-piece gelatin or HPMC capsules. The final blend mayoptionally be compressed into tablets. The tablet or capsule can befurther coated to modify its release profile, to improve itsappearance/taste, and/or to protect the product from the storageenvironment.

Formulation 9

Sodium starch glycolate, poloxamer 188, and microcrystalline celluloseare dry blended in a Key International KG5 granulator. API is dissolvedin 5% hydrochloric acid in a glass beaker and transferred into the KG5as the granulation fluid. The granulation is mixed at a 400 rpm impellerspeed and a 2,000 rpm chopper speed for 1 minute. The resultant granulesare dried in an oven at 40° C. until the moisture content of thegranulation is less than 10%. The granules formed are then screenedthrough a #20 mesh screen. The screened granules are mixed withadditional microcrystalline cellulose and sodium starch glycolate in a Vblender for 5 minutes. Silicon dioxide and stearic acid are added to theblend and mixed for an additional 3 minutes. The final blend is thendischarged from the V blender and compressed into tablets using a Carverpress with a ½ inch round standard concave tooling.

Granule Formulation

Ingredient % w/w API 12.5 Hydrochloric acid 4.75 Sodium starch glycolate20.0 Poloxamer 188 10.0 Microcrystalline cellulose 52.75 Total 100

Tablet Formulation

Ingredient Amount per Tablet, mg Granule Formulation 400 mg (Equivalentto 50 mg API) Microcrystalline cellulose 158 mg  Sodium starch glycolate20 mg Silicon dioxide 10 mg Stearic acid 12 mg Total Tablet weight 600mg 

Method 2: Wet Granulation.

API and carriers are mixed in a high shear mixer or a planetary mixer.An acid solution is then added to the dry blend as the granulatingfluid. The resultant wet mixture may then be further dried and milled togive uniform granules. Additional excipients can be added to thegranules to produce a final blend. The final blend is then filled into atwo-piece gelatin or HPMC capsule. The final blend may alternatively becompressed into a tablet. The tablet or capsule can be further coated tomodify its release profile, to improve its appearance/taste, or toprotect the product from the storage environment.

Formulation 10

API, crospovidone, poloxamer 188, and microcrystalline cellulose are dryblended in a PMS high-speed granulator. Diluted methanesulfonic acid isadded to the dry blend to form wet granules. The resultant wet granulesare dried in a GPCG fluid bed dryer and milled by a Comill to achievedesirable particle size range. The milled granules are mixed with sodiumstarch glycolate in a V blender for 5 minutes. Silicon dioxide andmagnesium stearate are added to the blend and mixed for an additional 3minutes. The final blend is discharged from the V blender and thegranules are filled into a size 00 hard gelatin capsules using a MG2encapsulation machine.

Granule Formulation

Ingredient % w/w API 12.5 Methanesulfonic acid 9.5 Crospovidone 20.0Poloxamer 188 10.0 Microcrystalline cellulose 48 Total 100

Capsule Formulation

Ingredient Amount per Capsule, mg Granule Formulation 400 mg (Equivalentto 50 mg API) Sodium starch glycolate 20 mg Silicon dioxide 10 mgMagnesium stearate 10 mg Total Capsule fill weight 440 mg 

Method 3: Wet Granulation.

API and a surfactant are dissolved in a volatile organic solvent to forma solution. An acid is added to the solution to form a granulatingfluid. A pharmaceutical carrier(s) and other inactive ingredients arethen wet granulated using the granulating fluid. The resultant granulesare dried and milled to give uniform size granules. Additionalexcipients may be added to the granules to produce a final blend. Thefinal blend may be filled into a two-piece gelatin or HPMC capsule. Thefinal blend may also be compressed into a tablet. The tablet or capsulemay be further coated to modify its release profile, to improve itsappearance/taste, and/or to protect the product from the storageenvironment.

Formulation 11

API and poloxamer 188 are dissolved in acetone, and sulfuric acid isadded to form a granulating fluid. Crospovidone and microcrystallinecellulose are dry blended in a LB Bohle one-pot processor, and then wetgranulated using the granulating fluid. The granulation is dried in theone-pot processor using vacuum and heat. The resultant granules aremilled using a Comill to achieve the desirable particle size range. Themilled granules are then mixed with croscarmellose sodium in a V blenderfor 5 minutes. Silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate are added to theblend and mixed for an additional 3 minutes. The final blend isdischarged from the V blender and filled into a size 00 hard gelatincapsules using a MG2 encapsulation machine.

Granule Formulation

Ingredient % w/w API 12.5 Sulfuric acid 7.23 Crospovidone 20.0 Poloxamer188 10.0 Microcrystalline cellulose 50.27 Total 100

Capsule Formulation

Ingredient Amount per Capsule, mg Granule Formulation 400 mg (Equivalentto 50 mg API) Croscarmellose sodium 20 mg Silicon dioxide 10 mgMagnesium stearate 10 mg Total Capsule fill weight 440 mg 

Method 4: Spray-Drying.

API and a surfactant are dissolved in a volatile organic solvent. Asolid carrier is added to the solution to form a suspension followed bythe addition of an acid to form a final suspension for spray-drying.Additional excipients can be added to the spray-dried granules toproduce a final blend. The final blend can be filled into a two-piecegelatin or HPMC capsule. The final blend can also be compressed into atablet. The tablet or capsule can be further coated to modify itsrelease profile, to improve its appearance/taste, and/or to protect theproduct from the storage environment.

Formulation 12

API and poloxamer 188 are dissolved in acetone to form a solution.Crospovidone and microcrystalline cellulose are added to the solution toform a suspension. Sulfuric acid is added to the suspension and theresultant mixture is subjected to a Niro spray dryer. The resultantspray-dried granules are mixed with Croscarmellose sodium in a V blenderfor 5 minutes. Magnesium stearate is added to the blend and mixed for anadditional 3 minutes. The final blend is discharged from the V blenderand filled into a size 00 hard gelatin capsule using a MG2 encapsulationmachine.

Spray-Dried Formulation

Ingredient % w/w API 12.5 Sulfuric acid 7.23 Crospovidone 30.0 Poloxamer188 10.0 Microcrystalline cellulose 40.27 Total 100

Capsule Formulation

Ingredient Amount per Capsule, mg Granule Formulation 400 mg (Equivalentto 50 mg API) Croscarmellose sodium 20 mg Magnesium stearate 10 mg TotalCapsule fill weight 430 mg 

Method 5: Co-Precipitation.

In co-precipitation methods, API and a surfactant are dissolved in asuitable volatile organic solvent. An insoluble solid carrier and anacid are then added to the solution to induce the co-precipitation of anin situ API salt with the surfactant and carrier. The solvent may thenbe removed by evaporation or by other appropriate methods. The resultantco-precipitate may be collected and dried. The particles so obtained aremilled, sieved, and filled into two-piece hard capsules. Alternatively,these formulations may be further processed through milling, sieving,mixing with other excipients, and compressing into a tablet dosageformulation.

Formulation 13

API and poloxamer 188 are dissolved in acetone. Crospovidone andsilicone dioxide are added to the solution to form a suspension.Cysteine hydrochloride is added to the suspension and the resultantmixture is subjected to a vacuum evaporator to remove the solvent. Theresultant solid particles are then milled and mixed with croscarmellosesodium in a V blender for 5 minutes. Magnesium stearate is added to theblend and mixed for an additional 3 minutes. The final blend isdischarged from the V blender and filled into a HPMC capsule using aTorpac™ Profill capsule filling system.

Co-Precipitation Formulation

Ingredient % w/w API 12.5 Cysteine hydrochloride 13.0 Crospovidone 30.0Poloxamer 188 10.0 Silicon dioxide 34.5 Total 100

Capsule Formulation

Ingredient Amount per Capsule, mg Granule Formulation 400 mg (Equivalentto 50 mg API) Croscarmellose sodium 20 mg Magnesium stearate 10 mg TotalCapsule fill weight 430 mg 

Any of a number of appropriate apparatuses are available to assist inblending, extrusion, sizing, encapsulation, sealing, filling, pressing,and other processes in preparing pharmaceutical formulations. Varioustypes of two-piece hard capsules include, but are not limited to,two-piece HGCs, HPMC capsules, and natural pullulan capsules. All suchcapsule shells may contain opacifiers such as talc and titanium dioxide,and colorants. Listed herein are numerous apparatuses that were used inthe experimental processes, but are not intended to be limiting in anymanner as many different makes, models, and manufacturers exist in theindustrial setting. For example, blending equipment may include PKV-Blenders, cone tumble blenders, fluid bed granulators available fromGlatt Air Techniques and Niro Pharma System, planetary mixers, andribbon blenders. Hot melt extrusion equipment may include ZSE 18 HP; ZSE27 HP; ZSE 40 HP; Micro 18; and Micro 27 co-rotating andcounter-rotating twin screw extruders available from American LeistritzExtruder Corporation; single screw 19/20 DN, and twin screw DSE 25 & DSE35 co-rotating & counter rotating twin screw extruders from BrabenderMeasurement & Control Systems; and Caleva Extruders Models 20, 40, and100 available from Caleva Process Solutions Ltd. Sizing equipment mayinclude Comil Sizers available from Quadro; Hammermill sizers availablefrom Fitzpatrick; Oscillator sizers from a number of vendors. Hardcapsule filling machines for fitting a molten mass such as the QUALICAPSF-40-LIQFILsuper40, QUALICAPS F-80-LIQFILsuper80, QUALICAPSF-120-LIQFILsuper120, QUALICAPS F-150-LIQFILsuper150, and the CapsugelCFS 1000 Capsule Filling and Seating Machine. Hard capsule seatingmachines such as the QUALICAPS S-40 HICAPSEAL and the QUALICAPS S-100HICAPSEAL. Hard capsule filling machines for filling solid powdersinclude the MG from MG2, the GKF from Bosch, and the Zanasi from IMA.Tablet press equipment available from Manesty, Fette, and Courtoy.Tablet coating equipment available from Niro Pharma Systems such asSIROCCO®; MULTI-PROCESSOR®; MP-MICRO®; STREA-1®; and MP-1MULTI-PROCESSOR® and Glatt such as their fluid bedgranular/dryer/coater.

Further Modifications of the Table Dosage Formulations.

Tablet dosage forms may also be coated to improve appearance, elegance,and/or taste. In some cases, the tablet is coated with a sugar,cellulose polymer, and/or polymethacrylate polymer. Some examples ofcoating materials available commercially are under the trade namesOPADRY®, SURELEASE®, AQUACOAT®, and EUDRAGIT®. The coating material mayfurther contain a pharmaceutically acceptable coloring agent and/or apharmaceutically acceptable opacifier, including but not limited toopacifiers such as titanium dioxide or talc. Alternatively, the tabletformulation may be coated with gelatin or encapsulated within a gelatinsheath. The gelatin sheath material may further contain apharmaceutically acceptable coloring agent and/or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable opacifier.

Example 6 Salt Stability, Characterization, and Morphic Studies

Twenty acids were further screened for their ability to form salts withthe API under different conditions than those described in Example 3above. Three salts of the API were further investigated to determinetheir stability, chemical and physiochemical properties and morphology:mesylate, esylate and maleate. The ratio of acid to base (API) in thesesalts was 2:1 for mesylate and esylate salts and 1:1 for the maleatesalt. The salts for these studies were prepared as follows.

Mesylate:

Two equivalents of methanesulfonic acid were slowly added to 3 g of APIin 20 mL of THF at room temperature. The resulting suspension wasequilibrated for two hours before solids were collected by filtration.Solids were dried under vacuum at 50° C.

Esylate:

Two equivalents of ethanesulfonic acid were slowly added to 3 g of APIin 20 mL of THF at room temperature. The resulting suspension wasequilibrated for two hours before solids were collected by filtration.Solids were dried under vacuum at 50° C.

Maleate:

One equivalent of maleic acid was slowly added to 3 g of API in 20 mL ofTHF at room temperature. The resulting suspension was equilibrated fortwo hours before solids were collected by filtration. Solids were driedunder vacuum at 50° C.

Instruments and Methodologies used in these studies were as follows.

Determination of Solubility

Excess solids were equilibrated in each solvent for over 24 hours at 25°C.±0.1. Concentration in aqueous supernatant was measured by UV and HPLCand concentrations in organic solvents by gravimetry.

Dissolution

The intrinsic dissolution rate measurements were carried out in 0.5 cm²VanKel die assemblies and a pellet pressure of 1 ton. The dissolutionwas measured using a Cary 50 spectrophotometer with a stirring rate of200 rpm. The solution medium was held at 37° C. and measurements weremade at 276 nm.

Hygroscopicity

Sorption/desorption isotherms were measured using VTI vapor sorptiondevice (DVS-1). Measurements were carried out at 25° C.

Polymorphism Behavior

A suspension of 6 mg of drug substance in 300 μl of solvent is prepared.Samples are agitated for ≧24 hour at 22° C.±2° C. The solids arecollected and investigated for changes.

HPLC Method

-   Column: Symmetry C18 (Waters), 3.5 μm, 3×150 mm-   Mobile phase: A=0.1% TFA in water; B=acetonitrile-   Gradient: 20 to 100% B in 10 minutes-   Flow rate: 0.6 ml/min-   Column temperature: 40° C.-   Amount injected: about 1 μg API-   Detection: UV 254 nm

Stability of the three salts with respect to color and degradationproducts were assessed under various conditions. Results are shown inTable 7, below. Chemical and physiochemical characteristics for thethree salts were measured and are shown in Table 8. Results ofmorphology studies are shown in Table 9, below.

TABLE 7 Degradation Products (DP) (or Assay) and Appearance (Color, CL)of API Salts API Salt Form Free Base Mesylate Esylate Maleate ConditionsDP DP DP DP Test Conditions [%] CL [%] CL [%] CL [%] CL 0.1% solutionsor suspensions, 1 week 80° C. (# or 50° C., or lower for unstablesubstances) Unstressed 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.3 pH 1 1.4 A x x x pH 3 0.9 A↓ x xx pH 5 0.6 A↓ x x x pH 7 0.9 A↓ x x x pH 9 27.0 A↓ x x x pH 11 >99 A↓ xx x Water 0.6 A↓ 0.5 A↓ 0.4 A↓ 0.3 A↓ Methanol 0.6 A 2.7 A 2.5 A 0.4 ASolid state, 1 week 80° C., tight container Bulk (HPLC) 0.6 A 0.5 A 0.5A 0.7 A 1-2 weeks 50° C., tight container 1% in mixture 1 0.7 A 0.5 A0.5 A 0.4 A 1% in mixture 2 0.6 A 0.6 A 0.6 A 0.4 A Solid state, 1 week80° C./75% r.h Bulk (HPLC) 0.6 A 0.8 A 0.6 A 0.4 A 1-2 weeks 50° C./75%r.h. 1% in mixture 1 0.8 A 2   A 1.8 A 1.1 A 1% in mixture 2 0.5 A 1.2 A0.8 A 0.5 A Xenon light (approx. 1200 kLuxh) Bulk (HPLC) 0.6 A 0.6 A 0.7A 0.3 A Bulk corrosivity 2 day 80 r.h. with x x x x steel coupon↓Suspension * Clear solution after stress test — no change A No changeof color B Slight discoloration C Medium discoloration D Strongdiscoloration x test not performed DPs are analyzed by HPLC (method seeAppendix 2). They are calculated as area-% products or against externalstandard 1%). DSC: Purity: 100% − (sum of byproducts and degradationproducts) Compositions of the excipient mixtures (mass-%) Mixture 1:Lactose 200 mesh/maize starch modified 1500 LM/Aerosil 200/Magnesiumstearate 78.5:20:0.5:1 (m/m/m/m) Mixture 2: Mannitol/Avicel PH102/Cutina HR (57:38:5) (m/m/m)

TABLE 8 Chemical and Physicochemical Properties of API Salts Salt FormParameter free base Mesylate Esylate Maleate Elemental analysis calc.found calc. found calc. found calc. found % C 55.6 53.86 43.95 42.8245.54 44.0 53.00 52.84 % H 3.11 3.33 3.4 3.08 3.82 3.63 13.25 2.92 % N16.21 15.82 11.83 11.43 11.38 10.78 13.25 13.22 % O 3.09 15.76 15.1616.17 % F 21.99 20.68 16.04 14.85 15.43 13.85 17.97 16.89 % S 9.02 9.188.68 8.77 Stoichiometry NMR (acid:base) NA 2:1 2:1 1:1 DSC-PurityHeating rate 2° C./min (%) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicableNot applicable HPLC-Purity (e.g. area-%) 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.3 Melting point(DTA) 162.1° C. 177.7° C. 238.2° C. 175.5° C. Melting enthalpy (J/g) Notapplicable Decomposes Decomposes Decomposes pH of 1% solution orsuspension In water 5.5 2.0 2.2 2.7 Solubility (approx. at 25° C.,mg/ml) (HPLC) 0.1N HCl 0.20 5.7 3.7 2.3 Measured pH 1.3 1.4 1.4 pH 30.00006 0.0005 0.0023 0.00015 Measured pH 3.6 3.4 pH 4.5 0.00009 0.00010.0037 0.00003 Water 0.024 0.07 0.06 0.01 Solid No change No change Nochange No change Methanol 11.4 >50 >50 >50 Acetonitrile 5.2 4.0 2.1 4.7Thermogravimetry (weight loss in %) Heating rate 20 K/min (%) 3.3 1.32.1 0.11 Intrinsic dissolution rate (mg min⁻¹ cm⁻²) HCl 0.1N 0 0.0560.06 0.03 Water 0 0.0024 0.0036 0.0076

TABLE 9 Morphic Properties of API Salts API Salt form Parameter freebase Mesylate Esylate Maleate Thermal properties As is DSC 162.1° C.177.7° C. 250° C. 175.7° C. XRPD (crystallinity) Crystalline CrystallineCrystalline Crystalline After heating and cooling- DSC Not measuredDecomposes Decomposes Decomposes XRPD Not measured Not measured Notmeasured Not measured Hygroscopicity As is Loss on drying by TG (%) 3.31.3 2.1  0.11 After 1 day at 95% r.h. 0.1 13.0  14.9  1.1 Loss on dryingby TG (%) Not measured Not measured Not measured Not measured DSC/XRPDNo change No change No change No change After 1 day at 80% r.h. 0   4.05.3 0.8 DSC/XRPD, TG (%) Not measured Not measured Not measured Notmeasured Crystal modification after 24 hours equilibration DSC/XRPD/TGDSC/XRPD/TG DSC/XRPD/TG DSC/XRPD/TG Water Change Change No change Nochange Ethanol No change No change No change No change 2-propanol Nochange No change No change No change Ethyl acetate No change No changeNo change Change Acetone No change No change No change Change PEG400 Nochange No change No change Change Acetonitrile Change No change Nochange Change Methanol No change No change No change Change Particlesize 10-20 μm <10 μm <10 μm <10 μm Microscopy (μm) Morphology needlesneedles needles needles Effect of grinding No change No change No changeNo change

Salt Formation.

The API has low solubility in most organic solvents. Acetone andtetrahydrofuran provided the best results for salt crystallization. Saltformation with ethanesulfonic acid and methanesulfinic acid producesrapid precipitation causing the solution to thicken, and making workup achallenge. Salt formation with maleic acid provided better control ofthe crystallization process.

Aqueous Solubility.

The API free base is nearly insoluble in water. Salt formationsignificantly improves aqueous solubility at all pH levels for themesylate and esylate. Aqueous solubility for the maleate appears to behigher at low pH and lower in neutral conditions (>pH 3). Intrinsicdissolution data show that the dissolution rate at pH 1 is in the orderof esylate=mesylate>maleate>>free base. In water, the order changes tomaleate>esylate=mesylate>>free base.

Stability.

The optimum pH for aqueous stability of API is 5. At lower pH, there isa small increase in degradation products and at higher pH (9 and 11) APIdecomposes. In methanol, the free base and maleate salt are stable whilethe esylate and mesylate show 2.7% impurities.

Salt Properties and Morphology.

Unlike the well formed crystals of the free base, crystals of all threesalts tended to be less well formed (See FIG. 1A-D), Thermogravimetricdata of the free base and maleate (FIGS. 2A and 5A) shows that theformer is a hydrate and the latter is free of residual solvents (LOD0.1%). The differential thermal analysis (DTA) pattern of the maleate isflat up to its melt, the melt endotherm shows a strong homogeneoustransition (FIG. 5B). In contrast, the mesylate and esylate salts haverelatively high loss on drying (FIGS. 3A and 4A) suggesting that thesamples have residual solvents or volatile impurities. In addition,their DTA patterns show multiple weak transitions indicating phasechanges with heating. The moisture sorption profiles show the free baseto be non-hygroscopic, the maleate to be slightly hygroscopic, and boththe mesylate and esylate to be hygroscopic. An overlay of the sorptionprofile is shown in FIG. 6.

Example 7 Bioavailability Study of API and Salts of API in Dogs

Bioavailability of the free base, maleate and mesylate salts of the APIwas studied in beagle dogs. For comparison, a microemulsion of the freebase was also studied. The study was performed with 4 dogs, weighing9-15 kg each. A crossover design with a washout period of at least 1week was used. The dogs were given a single oral dose of 100 mg of testcompound, administered under fasting conditions. Blood samples fordetermination of the plasma concentrations of API were collected for upto 48 hours after dosing. The plasma samples were analyzed for APIconcentration by HPLC-mass spectrometry. Data from a previous study indogs was used to determine the bioavailability of the free base,maleate, and mesylate salts relative to the microemulsion of the freebase.

Results of the study are shown in FIG. 7. As may be seen in FIG. 7, APIas the free base exhibited low and slow oral adsorption. The mesylateand maleate salts had much improved oral adsorption with higher C_(max)than the free base. Table 10 contains a summary of pharmacokineticparameters measured during the study.

TABLE 10 Pharmacokinetic Parameters of API After Single 100 mg Oral Dosein Dogs C_(max) AUC_(0-∞) Formulation T_(lag) h T_(max) h ng/mL ng ·h/mL T_(1/2) h Absolute F^(b) Relative F^(c) Free Base 1.0  16.0   62.9± 74.4 5310 ± 4514 nd  2.32 ± 1.97 11.4 ± 9.7 (0.5-2.0) (2.0-24.0)Maleate 0.12 4.0 1218 ± 320 29646 ± 5916  18.8 ± 7.7  12.9 ± 2.6  63.9 ±12.7   (0-0.25) (2.0-24.0) Mesylate 0.13 5.0 1573 ± 530 54364 ± 1418421.4 ± 13.0 23.7 ± 6.2 117 ± 31   (0-0.5) (2.0-24.0) (n = 3) (n = 3)Micro Emulsion 6   3070 46416 10.8 20.3 (normalized to 10 mg/kg)^(a)Median (range) for Tlag and Tmax and mean and sd for otherparameters ^(b)Relative to an iv dose of 1.25 mg/kg ^(c)relative to themicro emulsion

1-2. (canceled)
 3. A composition comprising a pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid salt of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineselected from a maleate salt and a methane sulfonate salt and asurfactant. 4-8. (canceled)
 9. The composition of claim 3 wherein theamount of pharmaceutically acceptable acid salt of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineis from about 0.0025 wt % to about 80 wt % based upon the total weightof the composition.
 10. The composition of claim 3 wherein thesurfactant has an HLB value of about 8 or higher than
 8. 11. Thecomposition of claim 3 wherein the surfactant is selected frompolyoxyethylene castor oil compounds, polyoxyethylene mono- and di-fattyacid esters, mixtures of polyoxyethylene mono- and di-esters of C₈-C₂₂fatty acids and glyceryl mono- di-, and triesters of C₈-C₂₂ fatty acids,α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate,polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers, polyoxyethylene sorbitanfatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sorbitan fatty, acid esters,sugar fatty acid esters, or a mixture of any two or more thereof. 12.The composition of claim 3 wherein the surfactant is polyoxyl 35 castoroil, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyl 60 hydrogenatedcastor oil, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate80, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyl 150 stearate, polyoxyl 150distearate, d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, poloxamer124, poloxamer 188, poloxamer 407, sorbitan monolauryl ester, sorbitanmonopalmityl ester, sorbitan monostearyl ester, or a mixture of any twoor more thereof.
 13. The composition of claim 3 wherein the surfactantis d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, poloxamer 188, ora mixture of any two or more thereof. 14-16. (canceled)
 17. Thecomposition of claim 3 wherein at least 90 wt % of a sample of thecomposition containing the equivalent of about 100 mg of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)aminedissolves in 900 mL of simulated gastric fluid at 37±0.5° C. in about 90minutes or less than 90 minutes.
 18. The composition of claim 3 whereinthe composition is solid.
 19. The composition of claim 3 furthercomprising a carrier.
 20. The composition of claim 3 further comprisingan antioxidant, a coloring agent, a cyclodextrin, a flavoring agent, apreservative, a sweetener, or a mixture of any two or more thereof. 21.The composition of claim 3 wherein the composition is contained within acapsule or tablet.
 22. (canceled)
 23. A method for preparing thecomposition of claim 3 comprising combining a pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid salt of{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)amineand a surfactant to provide the composition of claim
 3. 24-25.(canceled)
 26. A method for preparing the composition of claim 3comprising combining a compound,{1-methyl-5-[2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yloxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)amine,a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, and a surfactant to provide thecomposition of claim
 3. 27. (canceled)
 28. The method of claim 26wherein the compound and the acid are mixed by dissolving the compoundand the acid in an organic solvent to form the salt of the compound.29-30. (canceled)
 31. The method of claim 28 wherein the organic solventis a ketone, alcohol, ether, ester or a mixture of any two or morethereof.
 32. The method of claim 28 wherein the organic solvent isacetone, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, or mixtures of any two or morethereof.
 33. (canceled)
 34. The method of claim 26 further comprisingcombining a carrier with the acid salt and the surfactant.
 35. Themethod of claim 26 further comprising combining an antioxidant, acoloring agent, a cyclodextrin, a flavoring agent, a preservative, asweetener, or a mixture of any two or more thereof with the acid saltand the surfactant. 36-39. (canceled)
 40. A method of treating cancerand/or inhibiting angiogenesis comprising administering the compositionof claim 3 to a subject in need thereof, wherein the cancer to betreated is one or more selected from the group consisting of bladder,breast, brain, head and neck, liver, biliary tract, carcinomas, acuteand chronic lymphoid leukemias, acute and chronic myelogenous leukemias,chronic myelomonocytic leukemias colorectal, gastric, gastrointestinalstromal, glioma, lymphomas, melanomas, multiple myeloma,myeloproliferative diseases, neuroendocrine, lung, pancreatic, prostate,renal cell, sarcomas, and thyroid cancers. 41-42. (canceled)
 43. Thecomposition of claim 3 wherein the salt is the maleate salt.
 44. Thecomposition of claim 43 wherein the surfactant has an HLB value of about8 or higher than
 8. 45. The composition of claim 43 wherein thesurfactant is selected from polyoxyethylene castor oil compounds,polyoxyethylene mono- and di-fatty acid esters, mixtures ofpolyoxyethylene mono- and di-esters of C₈-C₂₂ fatty acids and glycerylmono-, di-, and triesters of C₈-C₂₂ fatty acids, α-tocopherylpolyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylenecopolymers, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylenealkyl ethers, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfate,sorbitan fatty acid esters, sugar fatty acid esters, or a mixture of anytwo or more thereof.
 46. The composition of claim 43 wherein thesurfactant is polyoxyl 35 castor oil, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castoroil, polyoxyl 60 hydrogenated castor oil, polysorbate 20, polysorbate40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyl 150stearate, polyoxyl 150 distearate, d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol1000 succinate, poloxamer 124, poloxamer 188, poloxamer 407, sorbitanmonolauryl ester, sorbitan monopalmityl ester, sorbitan monostearylester, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.
 47. The composition ofclaim 43 wherein the surfactant is d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol1000 succinate, poloxamer 188, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.